Motor-controlling mechanism



Sept. 9, 1924. V. LINK MOTOR CONTROLLING MECHANISM Filed May 5 1923 INVENTOR V/NCE/YT U/Y/f A; ATTORNEY l atented Sept ,'l924s X is; I

GENT LINK, h DETE'OI'E, EICHIGAN, ASSIGHOR, TO THE S'EUDEB t. s

T1016, 91* BQU'EH BEE-D, INDIANA,

A. CORPORATION OF NEW I isioros-corrrnmne mnonsmsn.

Application filed may 8,

To all whomit may coocem:

Be it known that I, VINCENT LINK, a citizen of the United Statea and' resident of Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useiul Improvements Pertaining to Motor- Controlling Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has reference to control mechanisms for motors and particularly relates to a novel arrangement of the several principal elements of the control system of an automobile whereby a compact, sightly,

efiective and economical organization is pro-' duced for controlling the operation of the engine and steering the car,

it has been thepractice to hold the controlling levers for sparhand throttle, in an automobile engine, in adjusted position by frictional engagement with a quadrant located above the steering wheel, To position and hold the quadrant, it is necessary to 'extend a tube from the lower part of the steers ing gear ease up to a point above the steering wheel. Other for of frictional devices are also used; but, in all instances they are positioned above the: steering wheel, are bulky and produce an unsightly protuberance above the steering wheel and necessitate the provision of a tube running the length of the steering column.

I avoid the objectionable features of the usual forms of construction by combining with the steering column of an automobile 'a new controlling system for the spark and throttle of the engine, and, in so doing, I provide 'a' simple, attractive, strong and durable means having many advantages over old forms, among the objects of which the iollowing may be noted: to do away with the frictional devices at the upper end of the steering column and above the steering wheel and thus eliminate the 'tube for holding the same; :to locate the frictional m at the lower end of the steering colum and below the dash of the car where they will be out of sight and may be, conssqnently, economically produced, since finand polishing are unnecessary; to provide a mnstruction such that sma control levers of attractive op earance may .he used at the up end 0' the steerin column and shove the steering wheel an compact frictions-l means may be located at.

full usual- Thehub 3 is keyed at 6 1923. Serial no. season.

tional devices embodied in the frictional.

means arranged concentrically with the steer= mg column; and to so combine the spark and throttle controlling means. with the steering column as to enable control to be effected rapidly and" with facility.

In order that my invention may be clearly understood, 1 have provided drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of the upper endof the steering column, the wheel being brokenofi at opposite sides,

' Fig. 2 is a view of the lower end of the steering column, parts being broken away to show details of construction.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the lower end of the steering column showing further de tails of construction.

Referring to the drawings, the spokes 2 of the steering wheel are at a right-angle to eachother and are combined centrally of the rim and bored to receive a hub 3 secured to the spokes by-a ring d and screws 5 passing through the latter, the spokes and into'the hub, see: Figure applied to cover the ring, hub and screws, as to the hollow steering post 7, the lower end of which, Figure 3, is provided with a worm 8 meshing with worm-wheel 9 secured to thearm 10. of

the steering gear which members, together with suitable anti-frictional devices, adjust-- ing means, and oiling devices, are supported in the inclosing casing 11, Figure 1. Surrounding the steering post 7 is the housing 12, the upper end of which extends into the hub 3 and is rovided with a heariu the post 7 igure 1 andja second ring for said post at its lower end, not shown, said housing bein held against rotation by being fixed to the ash and thus being able to aid in the support of the steering gear.

Two concentric tubes and 16 are placed within and concentrically of the post 7 and extend the full length of the steering column. The upper end of the tube 15 projects far enough above the nut 17, at the top of the post 7, to allow the ring 1'8 to be clamped thereon by screw 19', a cover 20 being placed over the ring and an actuating arm 21 losing edinto the through a hole in the 1, a finishing plate being 13 for cover. The tube 16 projects far enough beyond the end-of the'tube 15 to allow the ring 22 to be clamped thereon by screw 23, a cover 24 being placed over the ring and an actuating arm 25 being threaded into the ring 22 through a hole in the cover 24. The ring 24 has a central tubular portion 24 extending above the end of tube 16 which acts as a housing for the push-button structure 26, an insulated wire 27 extending from which connects with a suitable horn. Bracket 28 is-secured .to the lower end of casing 11, and has fastened to it three arallel, arcuate members 29, 30 and 31. ember 29 isfastened, at its opposite ends, directly to the bracket, spacers 32 separating the member from member30, and similar spacers separating the latter from member 31. Two bolts 33 pass through the bracket 28 and the opposite ends of each of the members 29, 30 and 31 and also through the spacers 32, and with nuts 34 fasten the several elements to the bracket 28. The members 29, 30 and 31 are arranged in'thesame inclined plane parallel with the axis of the post 7 and tubes 15 and 16, and are concentric with the latter. The tube 15 extends far enough through the bracket 28 for the lever 35 to be clamped thereon just below the member 29, said lever having a central split hub for the purpose.- Lever 35' has one and enlarged and bored and extended between the members 29 and 30, the

pgposite end of the lever extending beyond e scope of the members 29 and 30 and being formed to adapt it for connection with either the'spark or throttle of the engine. In the bored end of lever 35, two cup-shaped, oppositely disposed, frictional members 36, 37 are arranged, an expansion spring 38 forcin them outwardly into engagement with t e op sed surfaces of the members 29 and 30. he friction set up between the closed ends of the cups and the members 29, 30, is ample to hold. the lever 35 in any position to which it may be shifted. The tube 16 extends through tube 15 far enough for the lever 39 to be clamped thereon just beloW the member 30, said lever having a central split hub for the purpose. Lever 39 has one end enlarged and bored and extended between members 30 and 31, the opposite end of the lever extending beyond the scope of the members 30 and 31, and being formed to adapt it for connection with either the spark or throttle of the engine. In the bored end of lever 39 two cup-shaped, oppositely disposed, frictional members 36 and 3? are arran d, an expansion springbetween the .two orcing them apart for frictional engagement with the members 30, 31. An expansion spring 40 encircles tube 16 between the hubs of levers 35, 39 and operates to prevent rattl due to jars while the car is in motion.

tional means in the operating levers a simple,

compact, strongdurable and effective construction is provided. Moreover, thestruc ture is cheapened considerably,

as compared with usual forms of construction, since the usual supporting tube is eliminated and finishing and polishing are unnecessary since the frictional members are out of sight. Also the arms 21, 25 and the are the only devices on or above the steering wheel, thus providing simplicity of struc ture, neat and. attractive appearance, and avoiding all possibility of confusion or accident.

In the drawings I have shown a form or structure which is illustrative of my invention, but I desire it understood that my invention, in its broad aspect, is not confined or restricted to the details shown. A controlling mechanism, throttle of an en e, constructed so asto have its principa parts out of sight and its manipulatingmembers conveniently arranged at 'thesteerin wheel, is believed to be broadl new; and 51836 parts, when com.- bined wit ing means, produce a novel and useful arrangement forming part of my invention.

In the foregoin description and in the claims, I have di erentiated the hand op erated devices 21 and 25, at the to of the steerm column, from the friction devices 35 an 39, at the bottom of the steering column, by designating the former manipulating means and the latter controlling means.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters 1. Controlling mechanism for the spark and throttle of an engine, comprising telescoping supporting members; manipulating means connected to said members at one end; a gear casing near the other end of said members; a bracket at the other end of said members below the casing controllin means for the spark and throtfie carried members below the bracket; and interact- 1ng parts mounted upon the bracket "and controlling means for holding the latter in adjusted position.

2. Controlling mechanism for the spark and throttle of an engine comprising telescoplng supporting members; manipulating means connected to said members at one end; a bracket at the other end of said members;

signal-button for the spark and the steering column and si-- ythefriction members supported by said bracket; and friction members connected to said telescoping members for cooperation with the friction members of the bracket. Controlling-mechanism for thespark andthrottle of an engine, comprising telescoping members; manipulating means connected to said members at one end; a plurality of levers at the oppositeend ofvsaid' members, each lever hav ng friction-producing means; and stationary friction-producing means for cooperation with the friction means of the levers.-

4. Controlling mechanism for the spark and throttleofan engine, comprising telescoping members-; manipulating means connected to said members at one end; a pluralit of levers. at the opposite end of said mom is, each of said levers having frictionproducing means; and a bracket in fixed relation to the levers having a plurality of friction-producing members mounted thereon in operative relation to the levers.

5. In combination with a steering column having a wheel thereon at one end and a gear casing thereon at theother end, engine control mechanism mounted on the column having manipulatin means adjacent the wheel and frictions holding means adjacent the casing.

6. In combination with a steering column having a wheel thereon at one end and a gear casing thereon at the other-end, engine Y control mechanism mounted on the column having manipulatin means adjacent the wheel and frictional olding means adj acent the casing, comprisin a bracket having a plurality of arcuate-p ates, and a plura ity of levers cooperating with said plates,

7. In combination with a steering column having a wheel thereon at one end and a gear casing thereon at the other end, engine control mechanism mounted on the column having manipulatin means adjacent the wheel and frictional holding means adjacent the casing, com rising a bracket'mountcd on the casing an provided with a plurality of arcuate-plates, and a plurality of levers mounted on the column cooperating with said plates.

8. In combination with a steering column having a wheel thereon at one end and a gear casing thereon at the other end, en ine control mechanism mounted on the co umn having manipulating meansad acent the wheel and frictional holdinglmeans adjacent the casing, compirising a racket having a plurality of para el arcuate-plates, and a plurality of levers each having an end cooperating with two of said plates.

9. In combination with a steering column having a wheel thereon atone end and a gear casing thereon at the other end,

engine control mechanism mounted ,on the column having manipulating means adja umn, each. tube having 7 a manipulating handle at one end and frictionreducing means at the other end adjacent tlie casin said casing carryin' a bracket provided witli frictional means or cooperation with the frictional means of the tubes.

11. In combination with a tubular steering column, engine control means comprising telescoping tubes mounted on-said column; each of said tubes having a mani ulating handle at one end and a frictional evice at the other end; and means carried byi the column for cooperation with said frictional devices for controlling the position of the latter. I v

12. In combination with a tubular steering column, having a gear casingmounted thereon, engine control means comprising telescoping tubes mounted on said column,

each of said tubes having a mani ulating handle and a frictional device; and means carried b said casing forcooperation with said frictional devices for controlling the position of the latter.

13. In combination with a steeringcolumn having a gear casing mounted thereon at one end, engine controlling means comprising telescoping tubes mounted on said column; each of said tubes having a manipulating handle thereon at one end, and a friction de vice thereon at the other enda bracket mounted on said casin having friction producing means with which the friction devices cooperate; the said telescoping tubes extenda ing through both the casing and bracket.

14. In combination with a steering column having a gear casing mounted thereon at one end and a wheel at the other end, a housing in which the column is iournaled; en= gine controllin means mounted on said column within 1: e casin comprising a pair of telescoping tubes, eac having aman1pu-= lating handle above the wheel, and each having a friction-producing device below the casing; and friction-producing'mea s mounted on the casing for interaction wit the friction devices.

15.- In combination with a steering column having a gear casing mounted thereon at one ,end and a wheel at the other end, a housing in which the columnis journaled; engine controlling means mounted on said column within the casing comprising a pair of telescoping tubes, each having a manipulating handle above the wheel, and each having a its lever mounted thereon below the casing, said levers carrying friction devices; and a plurality of friction plates carried by said casing in cooperative relation to said friction devices.

16. In combination with a steering column having a gear casing mounted thereon at one end and a wheel at the other end, a housing in which the column is journaled; engine controlling means mounted on said column within the casing comprising a pair of telescoping tubes, each havin a manipulating handle above the whee and each having a friction-producing device below the casing; a bracket inounted on said casing having a plurality'of parallel friction plates;

the devices and plates being alternately arapoaeee means carried by-the levers and engaging said plates.

18. Friction-producing means for motor control mechanism having, in combination,

tional cups operating between and engaging 85 said plates.

19. In combination with the steerin column of a motor vehicle, motor contro mechanism comprising a supporting bracket at one end of the column; a plurality of parallel arcuate plates-fixed to the bracket; a pluralit 7 of levers rotatably mounted between t e plates; frictional means carried by the levers and. engaging the plates; and means for actuatin the levers. 7

Si ed b me at etroit', Michigan, U. S. A this 14t day of April, 1923.

VINCENT LINK. 

